North Williams Traffic Operations Safety Project

The North Williams corridor is one of the busiest bicycle corridors in the Portland metropolitan area. However, it is also active route for motor vehicles and public transportation. The purpose of the project is to address the safety concerns of all users traveling on North Williams Avenue between Weidler and Killingsworth. Its objectives include reducing conflict between cyclists, motorists, and buses, and improving conditions for bicycling and walking on North Williams.

In March 2012, the North Williams Stakeholder Advisory Committee decided upon the traffic safety option to be recommended to the Portland Bureau of Transportation. The recommended design includes a left-side buffered bicycle lane and a single motor vehicle lane for two stretches of the corridor, from the I-5 on-ramp to Fargo and from Skidmore to Killingsworth, and a shared left-hand travel lane from Fargo to Skidmore. The buffered lane design borders a 7’ bike lane with a 3’ buffer on the left and a 2’ buffer on the right. The final recommendation may also include reducing the speed limit to 20 mph.

To view the 2011 virtual open house or notes of past meetings and community forums, visit the North Williams project website here. For further information, or to sign-up for updates, contact project manager Rich Newlands (503) 823-7780.